The use of cord blood is a miracle of recycling - giving life today and saving lives tomorrow. When transplanted into a patient, different types of blood cells can be produced after the patient's own blood cells have been depleted or destroyed by chemotherapy or irradiation.

Transplantation of this blood produces far less immunological complications than transplant of adult bone marrow. This means that the matching between donors and recipients is less critical, which makes it easier to find suitable cord blood donors.

The most common question asked is "Can cord blood be donated at any hospital?"

Jessica Sylianou processing a cord blood donation

Cord blood can only be collected at those hospitals accredited with the cord blood banks. Collection, processing and storage of cord blood are specialised techniques that need to be performed by trained and accredited staff. The cord blood collected also needs to be processed as soon as practical, usually within 36 hours of collection.

Unfortunately they cannot be found in all areas as it takes specialised staff to collect and prepare the cord for transportation to the cord blood bank.

Once the cord blood is donated it is given to anyone who is in need of a cord blood transplant. The recipient is the patient who is most suitable based on tissue matching and clinical need at the time.

At present, the most common need for transplantation in childhood is acute leukaemia.

A question often asked is "If the donor developed leukaemia and required a transplant, would their cord blood be used to treat themselves?" The answer is "no". The least successful form of transplant is from the patient's own cord blood or bone marrow. The most appropriate source of stem cells is from another family member or an anonymous stem cell donor.

Inner Wheel members from around Australia are continuing in their efforts to support cord blood research with a once a year "Coin for a Cord Day". The aim of this special day is to create in the community awareness of cord blood and to raise funds to support research into the collection, transport and uses of cord blood.

By taking part in this project,
a sick child may receive a second chance in life.